More than 150 economic fugitives, many of whom are corrupt officials or suspected of graft in China, are at large in the US, Reuters reported, citing state media. Beijing has long grappled with the issue of so-called “naked officials” – government workers who use foreign family connections to illegally shift assets out of China or to avoid investigation. Last month, China launched what it called a “fox hunt” for corrupt officials, saying it will track down fugitives around the world and punish them. However, there is no extradition treaty between China and the US, and foreign governments have expressed reluctance to hand over Chinese suspects as they could face the death penalty in China.
Categories